Service Updates & Upcoming Public Holidays – w/c 10th April

Here you will find the latest UK & global service updates and a list of upcoming worldwide public holidays. This is updated throughout the week with latest information available.

UK Service Updates

Normal deliveries & collections of mail should be made in most parts of the UK today.

International Service Updates

General (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand) – There may be delays in deliveries of postal items because of holidays associated with the New Year/Songkran Festival period. All operations are suspended throughout the New Year period (13th-18th April). Ongoing (issue start date: 13/04/17)

Argentina – A nationwide general strike has been announced in Argentina for 6th April. All workers on all forms of transportation are expected to be on strike. There may be delays and/or cancellations to domestic and international flights operating to, from, and/or via Argentina. Ongoing (issue start date: 06/04/17)

Australia – Australia Post has advised that as of 30 March 2017, all postal services in Queensland (postcodes 4xxx) have been suspended due to the severe weather, affecting delivery and lodgement across all mail products. Please note that service delays are expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 30/03/17)

Bangladesh – Recently, Bangladesh Customs have witnessed an increase in the number of wrongly declared shipments. This has led the Bangladesh Customs to scrutinise each and every shipment, which is causing delays in the release of all shipments including mail. Ongoing (issue start date: 03/01/17)

Belgium – Bpost has advised that all inbound and outbound postal items will be subject to delay due to an unannounced industrial action by staff of Avia Partner, one of the ground handling companies at Brussels Airport. Industrial action took place from 28th-31st March and service delays are expected. Resolved (issue start date: 28/03/17)

Canada – There may be delays to items being accepted at the Toronto Office of Exchange, this is because of high volumes at the centre due to the recent snow storm. Additional support has been implemented and Canada Post is ensuring items enter the delivery network as quickly as possible. Resolved (issue start date: 16/12/16)

UPDATE:Due to a nationwide backlog of mail and continuing severe weather conditions, substantial delays to mail processing and delivery for all items sent to Canada may be experienced.Ongoing (issue start date: 16/12/17 – updated 20/02/17)

Chile– We have been informed that heavy rain has caused flooding and mudslides in Chile. Particularly affected were the regions of Valparaiso, Santiago and O’Higgins. Delays in the delivery and pick up of mail and parcels are expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 26/02/17)

China – China Post have informed us that owing to unprecedented volumes of parcels imported into Shanghai and Guangzhou, there are currently a number of issues with China Customs, resulting in large backlogs in their facilities. These problems are compounded by the high delivery volume within China, resulting in delays in mail delivery. Ongoing (issue start date: 14/07/16)

Colombia – Severe flooding and mudslides have caused serious damage to the infrastructure in the city of Mocoa in southern Colombia. In total, 17 districts are affected. Land links to the city are interrupted. A state of emergency has been declared for the affected region. Expect delays for items sent to this region. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/04/17)

Croatia – Due to bad weather, parts of Croatia are experiencing delays with deliveries and collections of mail. The worst affected areas are: coastal Croatia and the Western and Southern parts of Croatia. Resolved (issue start date: 16/01/17)

Czech Republic – Due to bad weather in the Czech Republic, there are delays in deliveries and collections across most of the country. An improvement is expected by the end of this week, but until then at least 24-48 hour delays should be expected. Resolved (issue start date: 30/01/17)

Czech Republic – Due to the annual Braderie de Bordeaux, deliveries in Bordeaux area will be impacted from February 9th until February 11th due to road closures. Normal service to resume Monday 13th February. Resolved (issue start date: 09/02/17)

Finland – We have been informed of strike action in in Finland. Finnair cabin crew are to strike on February 17 and the IAU (Finnish Aviation Union), which represents ground staff at Helsinki airport (HEL), have also announced strike measures on February 17 from 14:00 to 19:00 and on February 22 from 15:00 to 19:00. Further unions are expected to join the strike and delays to mail transit may be experienced.

UPDATE: Further aviation strikes between the 3rd and 10th of March have been announced. Additionally, strike warnings have been issued for the 14th, 17th, 22nd, 23rd and 24th March. This action is expected to cause delays to mail transit and delivery. Resolved (issue start date: 17/02/17 – updated 20/03/17)

France – The French aviation union CGT has called on all Air France union members to go on strike on 7 March. The national civil servants will strike on the same day.

UPDATE: La Poste, the French post office, have informed us that a full strike is planned at Air France from 18 to 20 March. Many delays and flight cancellations are expected and this might cause delays to the movement and delivery of mail and parcels. Resolved (issue start date: 07/03/17 – updated 17/03/17)

Germany – According to media reports, ground staff at the Berlin airports Tegel (TXL) and Schönefeld (SXF) carried out a 48 hour strike between 13th and 15th March and this may have an impact on mail delivery. Resolved(issue start date: 13/03/17)

Greece – We have been informed that postmen in the Attica region are carrying out industrial action from Tuesday 4th April until Friday 7th April. This action will affect both international and domestic delivery of mail in the region of Attica, which encompasses the entire metropolitan area of Athens. It is likely that there will be delays of up to a week in delivery. Ongoing(issue start date: 04/04/17)

India – Kempegowda International Airport will partially suspend flight operations from 8th to 18th February due to a trade fair. Additionally, from 19th February to 30th April there will also be a partial flight suspension in place due to restoration works. This might cause delays to mail delivery. Ongoing (issue start date: 22/11/16)

India – The Indian Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers (CCGEW) has called on one-day strike to take place on 16 March; postal employees intend to participate in the strike. Resolved (issue start date: 16/03/16)

Indonesia – According to official information, there are currently increased volcanic activities and earthquakes across Indonesia. Lombok is currently experiencing flight cancellations and delays due to the volcanic ash of Mount Rinjani. Some flight services between Australia and Bali have also been cancelled. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/03/17)

Italy – Poste Italiane have advised that the processing of registered mail will be delayed and status updates for registered items may lag or be incomplete due to system upgrading. Ongoing (issue start date: 05/04/17)

Italy – The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has stated that a 24-hour nationwide aviation strike will take place on 20th March. Unless averted, significant flight disruptions are expected.

UPDATE: Further industrial action has been announced and the following nationwide aviation strikes are scheduled for April 5th in Italy: Ongoing (issue start date: 20/03/17 – updated 03/04/17)

Japan – Japan is strengthening their customs inspection of inbound mail as part of counter-terrorism measures. Therefore, Japan Post has requested all items containing goods are accompanied by the required documents. Please attach a customs declaration form to postal items containing goods, and provide accurate information on the contents for customs declaration. Failure to comply with this request could lead to delays or the return of mail items sent to Japan. Ongoing (issue start date: 29/03/16)

Japan – A powerful earthquake hit northeastern Japan triggering a series of tidal waves and a small tsunami along the coast which also hit the Fukushima region. Delays in mail delivery services are expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 22/11/16)

New Zealand – Following sustained heavy rainfall in parts of the North Island, parts of Auckland experienced flash-flooding during a severe storm, causing power outages and traffic disruptions due to road closures. Also, State Highway 1 near Kaikoura (South Island) remains blocked by floodwater.

Philippines – A severe earthquake and several aftershocks hit the province of Surigao del Norte in the south of the Philippines on February 10 and 11. According to authorities, serious material and infrastructure damage and power outages occurred. The provincial airport was closed and mail to this area may be delayed. Ongoing (issue start date: 10/02/17)

Peru – An earthquake hit southern Peru causing numerous buildings to collapse and roads to be blocked in the Arequipa region. The quake caused damage throughout the Colca Valley and several areas have been cut off. Mail and parcel delivery delays should be expected in the affected areas. Ongoing (issue start date: 08/08/16)

Portugal – The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC) has given strike notice from 18 March to 18 April. Further information and the impact to mail transit and delivery is not available at this time. Ongoing (issue start date: 18/03/17)

Romania – We have been informed that deliveries and collections in the following areas may be delayed due to heavy snowfalls: 120XXX, 620XXX, 800XXX, 810XXX, 820XXX, 900XXX, 910XXX and 920XXX.Resolved (issue start date: 06/01/17)

Saudi Arabia – It has been advised that, with immediate effect, Saudi Arabian Customs has introduced some changes for all Non-Document shipments sent to Saudi Arabia. All B2C shipments that contain materials other than documents/printed matter will require the Consignee’s ID number. Where this is not provided, the parcel may be delayed in clearing customs until the ID number is obtained from the consignee. All B2B shipments of non-document materials will require a Commercial Registration Form from the consignee. This will be requested from the consignee when arriving in the country and upon receipt of the form, the parcel can be cleared through customs. Ongoing (issue start date: 15/04/16)

Sweden – Delays are expected of up to 24 hours in processing import parcels dedicated for private consignees. This will also impact export parcels which will be processed from Sunday night. This is due to an IT technical problem which started on 16th March and is expected to end today, 20th March. Resolved (issue start date: 16/03/17)

Suriname – There have been delays in the processing and delivery of all postal items since 4th April. This is due to an unexpected labour dispute. Ongoing (issue start date: 04/04/17)

Taiwan – Super Typhoon Meranti has caused a landslide South Eastern China and Taiwan. As result of this all mail operations will be affected in South East China and Taiwan for the foreseeable future. Ongoing (issue start date: 14/09/16)

Thailand – From 3 March until 5 May, one of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s three runways will be closed for maintenance and repair work. Flight delays are anticipated during this period, especially during the peak hours. Ongoing (issue start date: 03/03/17)

Thailand – Heavy rainfall has caused flooding and traffic disruptions in Bangkok. According to meteorologists, more rainfall is expected throughout Thailand in the coming days. As a result, delivery delays are to be expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/03/17)

USA – We received confirmation from the USPS on 21st November that since the start of October, mail/parcels entering the US through Chicago has been subject to specific checks from US Customs and Border Protection. This is leading to delays for some items whilst they are checked by the relevant agencies and this process could lead to delays upto 7 days. Whilst most mail enters the US through New York JFK, some items may be affected. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/10/16)

USA – We have been informed that the USPS JFK mail processing facility in New York has been experiencing significant volume increases over the last month or two. As such, some delays may have been experienced in the processing and onward dispatch of mail entering the US via New York. As this is the main entry point for mail sent to the US, this has the potential to affect most USA bound mail items. With Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas approaching, mail volumes are likely to increase further. Therefore, please allow for the possibility of delays until further notice. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/10/16)

USA – The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced the following impacts as a result of tornadoes that touched down in several cities. The following offices are being impacted and are experiencing service delays. Ongoing (issue start date: 07/03/17)

ARKANSAS – Parthenon Post Office 72666 – The office was destroyed by a tornado. All operations have been relocated to Jasper Post Office, located at 412 W Court St., Jasper, AR 72641.

DALLAS – Leonard Post Office 75452 – The office has roof damage and a broken gas line resulting from high winds from a tornado in the region. Retail operations have been temporarily suspended until repairs are completed.

USA – Over the next four months, one of the runways at San Francisco International Airport will be shut down during several weekends for a major maintenance project. The closures are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday through noon the following Monday on the weekends of: March 31, April 7, 21 and 28, May 5, 12 and 19, June 2 and 9. During this period, some flight delays are anticipated. Ongoing (issue start date: 31/03/17)

USA – Due to severe weather conditions there is an impact on mail transportation both inbound and outbound at New York JFK ISC (Postal processing centre for most items sent to the USA – delays should be expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 16/03/17)

USA – Severe thunderstorms have resulted in numerous flight delays and cancellations from/to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. mail sent to this region may be delayed. Ongoing (issue start date: 03/04/17)

Yemen – All mail services to Yemen have now been suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/03/15)

Zimbabwe – The It has been reported by Zimbabwe Posts (Pvt) Ltd that, owning to renovations in postal buildings, the Post’s IT systems have not been fully operational since 12 January 2017. Ongoing (issue start date: 12/01/17)